An estimated 544,373 people in Miami-Dade County

LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE

30% of Miami-Dade County seniors have an income below 125% of the poverty line, and 17% of the County’s seniors do not get enough food to eat every day.1

Elderly

44% of children in Miami-Dade County live in a low-income or impoverished household. That’s 239,524 of our kids.2

Families & Children

The 78,410* veterans who live in Miami-Dade County experience unemployment, homelessness, and live with a disability at a disproportionately high rate.3

Veterans

A three-member Miami-Dade household needs $60,168 a year to cover basic needs. A full year, full time minimum wage worker only earns $15,080 a year.4

Low Wage Workers

744,000* children and adults in Miami-Dade County do not have medical benefits. That’s almost one-third of the total population.5

Disabled

The Community Faces Many Challenges

Complex Justice System

Without a lawyer to help navigate the complex justice system, rights are often not protected, and justice is denied to many people living in poverty.

Limited Healthcare Access

Many Miami-Dade County residents lack access to healthcare due to the limited number of providers who accept Medicaid, poor public transportation and linguistic and cultural barriers.6

High Cost Housing

Miami is the least affordable U.S. city for renters. More than 40%* of low and middle-income renters spend half or more of their income on housing, the most in the United States.7

Extreme Incidences of Fraud

Miami-Dade County ranks first in the United States for identity theft and tax fraud. People living in poverty are most vulnerable to this risk due to lack of awareness and cultural and linguistic barriers.8

AS A RESULT

PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE ARE DROWNING IN THE SYSTEM

Good News- There are Practical Solutions

Protecting Legal Rights

Every year Legal Services helps more than 30,000 individuals and families achieve equal justice when they face critical legal problems. Learn more>

Recovering Income and Assets

Annually Legal Services recovers approximately $4.3 million in disability, unemployment and other benefits, and prevents more than $3.7 million in wrongfully claimed payments.

Providing Outreach and Education

Each year Legal Services educates approximately 5,000 individuals about their legal rights and responsibilities, empowering them to resolve and avoid disputes.

Building a Stronger Community

Legal Services builds a stronger Miami-Dade County for everyone. For every dollar Legal Services spends, almost $5.00* of economic impact is generated for our community.

Legal Services successfully helps low-income families and disabled children obtain key benefits they need to thrive. Thanks to Legal Services’ advocacy, all Medicaid-eligible Florida children with autism receive appropriate therapy so that they can become independent adults.

As a result of Legal Services’ advocacy, low-wage taxpayers avoided paying more than $1 million in taxes wrongfully claimed due in 2014. Legal Services also helped low-wage taxpayers recover an additional $106,000 in taxes wrongfully paid.

Low Wage Workers

Legal Services helps disabled individuals obtain federal disability benefits, bringing them much needed cash and Medicaid. Legal Services also helps disabled children receive in-home nursing care so that they can remain with their families.

Disabled

With help from Legal Services, more than 30,000 people find solid ground each year.

Your donation will help Legal Services provide justice for the 50% of the low-income community whose legal needs remain unmet.